Mastering Cash Flow When Costs Spike And Margin Decreases Cost spikes never show up with a warning. One quarter, your margins seem reasonable, and then suddenly you're looking at a P&L where revenue hasn't budged, but somehow cash feels tighter than ever. That gap between what you see on paper and what's actually in the bank? That's usually the wake-up call for most business owners. The real risk in 2026 isn't just rising costs; it's that those increases sneak up and squeeze your margins before you even notice the damage to your cash flow. There's no magic fix. A knee-jerk price hike or a slash of costs across the board rarely solves anything. What actually works is a coordinated approach: pinpoint where margin is leaking, intentionally adjust prices, trim operational costs without gutting your service, and actively manage working capital as you steady the ship. When you put those pieces together, you get options. If you only focus on one area, you...